The worst install ever (maybe?)

[Earthstore]

Well I have seen it all now, picture the scene, old buildings with various roofs, which all join up, flat roofs on different levels,and some pitched roofs also.
In the middle of all this is a pitched roof that is covered with green mineral felt, there is an air duct (300x300mm) that runs along the roof, underneath the air duct some 6x1 timber has been rested against the ducts support brackets, resting against this board are a row of about 8 panels which are mounted on a frame, but just resting on the pitched roof, so in the shade and not secured at all, then in landscape, are about 5 panels (no mounting frame) sitting on the pitched roof, resting against the top of the lower panels.
There are DC wires everywhere, and I mean everywhere, but once you enter the building the wiring, inverter, isolation switches etc are all quite tidy.
I hope the wind does not blow..
I will try and get some pictures for you all to have a laugh at, or just listen for the bang as your chin hits the desk...

 

[solarcat]

Earthstore, please do get a picture if you can, all we really do need something to encourage a smile..:wink5:

 

[Earthstore]

Please see both posts for pics
Also note, portrait panels are mounted on a frame which is just resting on the roof, which has this piece of wood to stop them sliding down,
landscape panels are just resting on the roof, no frame at all.
Pic 1 shows location of panels (not much shading from other roof!!!)
Pic 2 shows panels under ducting (remember the wood on here)
pic 3 & 4 shows some of the DC cables, but the are everywhere.

 

[Earthstore]

p
Pic 1 shows the technology used to support the framework
pic 2 shows the position of the array
pic 3 shows a little more of the supporting system.

Seeing is really believing, and needless to say this system has hardly produced a thing...
Your thoughts?

 

[Gary K]

Perhaps done to get system up and registered before deadline - is still too busy to go back and sort it. Must be catching up on paperwork.LOL

 

[SolarCity]

Speechless.....

 

[Earthstore]

Hmmm, apparently bottom row installed 3 weeks+ ago, then the top row were "installed" this Tuesday....

 

[yellowvanman]

You got to report it to someone!

 

[babba]

Earthstore how did you get to know about the install alarm man installed not unless you are a superhero by night with night vision..
and yes it is a JOKE...

 

[Earthstore]

This has cropped up before, do you tell someone that their install is, let's say not very good.
Well I have told them, and I am making some waves, however this is all rather sensitive, and I could not care if I sink an Installers boat at all, however, I do not want to sink my own with it, if you see what I mean.
I heard of this install, so I just asked if I could have a look, just being curious.
There are lot's of people involved here, as it is not a domestic install, and I live in a small town, however, if I play things right it will be beneficial to me, if I get things wrong, then I may as well just hang up my PV coat and find another source of income.
I am trying to find out which company did the install, then I can throw the do do at them.
Of course I will keep you all informed.

 

[dansk]

this just looks like a throw it up job before the 3rd deadline maybe? its good to see, ive never seen such a job done like this before.

 

[SparkyDips]

whats wrong with it?

 

[Gary K]

This isn't anwhere near South Yorkshire is it?-see £100k worth of panels stolen! £25K reward.
Ive heard of fencing stolen goods, but roofing dodgy gear- thats new.

 

[JD6400]

I did not make any comments on the scraping over the the thread the other day about solar police , but do think there is no need to be overzealous , and i am sure that no installer including our selfs have got it 100% right on every one of their installs even if they think they have !
But this is a clear reason to get involved , that is just plain disgusting and the installer ( more like plain and simple chancer come crook ) should be looking at some form of legal redress !
One would hope HSE alone would have some jurisdiction over this , as a good gale could literally kill someone with that one !
There is absolutely no reason to leave a installation like that be it against a deadline or not !!!!

 

[alarm man]

ive got a feeling when that home owner wakes up in the morning and looks out of his window he's goona see this...
:wink5: then again...

 

[SolarCity]

I'm not sure how far in you are with this problem. This install is a gale away from ending up in someone's skull.

I'd send the photos to MCS and let them deal with it.

 

[sherbert]

I 've seen loads of crap installs. Not bad workmanship but just very poor design with no allowance for shading. I've even got one across the road from my house so I see it every day. I told the owner not to fit a system due to the shading and yet another company were happy to fit a system. System is shaded until 12.00 and then again after 13.30. Worried that consumers who have had a bad system will start telling others that PV systems don't work. Equally the system is on the front of the property in a conservation area and I'm pretty sure they didn't apply for planning.
Do we let these muppets carry on installing systems or is there a procedure for reporting them? I just think that the industry will get a very bad name and we will all suffer.
Any ideas?

 

[QSGAZ]

Im not solar panel fitter, never even looked into doing the course but...... WTF was the installer thinking, it probabaly would of looked like a better job if it was dropped from a helicopter, any chance you got the name of the company that did the install to name and shame?

 

[goodwilld]

shop um, it's a disgrace.

 

[Earthstore]

Well, the plot thickens, whilst walking on eggshells, I spoke to one of the people involved today, and I found out who installed it, and I was shocked.
This company post on this forum and are very well respected by all of us, they are one of the top people on here,(no its not TED) and especially with their background they know they should not have left it like this, even if it is a temporary measure.
If they are reading this, may I strongly suggest that you remedy this install as a priority.
Under the circumstances, I will not name and shame, even though I am tempted.

 

[goodwilld]

Well, if they don’t redeem themselves then i think you should reveal who they are.

Everyone has a right to know who is bringing the industry into disrepute!!!!

 

[JulianC]

Weren't me guv. :ninja:

 

[alarm man]

well why not,it it had of been joe bloggs solar you would have slated him...love a bit of nepotism now and then..
tho slander might spring to mind..:ninja:

 

[Earthstore]

alarm man, I am working hard here in this fractured industry, trying to build a future, why? because we have to do something, unless we all want to spend all our income on fuels.
So far I have done all I can about this installation, and have brought it to the attention of the people involved.
I struggle with your belief that to point out to somebody, in a professional and courteous manner that what they have paid for is not only poor, but also dangerous.
What if I had said nothing and these panels blow off the roof and kill your daughter, and you were aware that I knew and had not said anything?
Some of us are not just going around criticizing the work of others, we have a genuine and caring belief to others.

 

[alarm man]

alarm man, I am working hard here in this fractured industry, trying to build a future, why? because we have to do something, unless we all want to spend all our income on fuels.
So far I have done all I can about this installation, and have brought it to the attention of the people involved.
I struggle with your belief that to point out to somebody, in a professional and courteous manner that what they have paid for is not only poor, but also dangerous.
What if I had said nothing and these panels blow off the roof and kill your daughter, and you were aware that I knew and had not said anything?
Some of us are not just going around criticizing the work of others, we have a genuine and caring belief to others.

fair comment,but do you then take it on yourself to inspect all of the installs by this so called pro installer just incase some are like the one posted,or do you report him to the industry scheme inspectors,like ive said plenty people are going to report installers for this and that etc,at least you have shown your hand by doing just that

 

[Earthstore]

Thank you.
I am not the PV police, it is a shame but this industry needs one, I just try to do my bit in my own little way, and am willing to share this with others, between us all we may do some good, who knows?

 

[alarm man]

Thank you.
I am not the PV police, it is a shame but this industry needs one, I just try to do my bit in my own little way, and am willing to share this with others, between us all we may do some good, who knows?

but is the scheme policing it,the solar game is on par or worse than the part p thing,ive said before that i feel for the solar companies who have been going 10/20 years doing their specialised market only for all and sundry to jump aboard when theres a quick buck to be had.

 

[Eco Deal]

Earthstone I think you have done the right thing some installs you can drive pass a have a laugh about for 5 mins then forget about them. But the images you have shown really do make me think how can the customer accept this as an installation ?

has the customer been on the roof ? it is a total P**S take

I bet they paid 12k -14k as well for this job !

Did you get any images of the inverter etc ? bet that is a right mess to.

Be good to know how who done that ?

 

[babba]

but is the scheme policing it,the solar game is on par or worse than the part p thing,ive said before that i feel for the solar companies who have been going 10/20 years doing their specialised market only for all and sundry to jump aboard when theres a quick buck to be had.

Alarm man its like every market place.. where there is work people will follow.. in one word you say band wagon jumpers and the next you think people doing a crap job have as much right to bring down the name of the people who care im confused..
I would be more worried about the people who come in and fit crap than the honest people who want to do a fair days work for a fair days pay...

 

[Somecamel]

Weren't alarms the last big thing for electricians?

 

[alarm man]

Alarm man its like every market place.. where there is work people will follow.. in one word you say band wagon jumpers and the next you think people doing a crap job have as much right to bring down the name of the people who care im confused..
I would be more worried about the people who come in and fit crap than the honest people who want to do a fair days work for a fair days pay...

well do the right thing then,instead of riding on the back of those who will,which was my original point regards knocking on doors and reporting poor installs..all fur coat and no knickers

 

[alarm man]

Weren't alarms the last big thing for electricians?

nah tradesmen going into a growing trade,

 

[Somecamel]

nah tradesmen going into a growing trade,

Ahh, Like Renewables...

 

[alarm man]

Ahh, Like Renewables...

nah that not full of tradesmen

 

[Somecamel]

Electricians, Roofers, Plumbers

 

[alarm man]

Electricians, Roofers, Plumbers

in one.i know ive seen the photos..

 

[babba]

well do the right thing then,instead of riding on the back of those who will,which was my original point regards knocking on doors and reporting poor installs..all fur coat and no knickers

Just the way I Like my women...

 

[Somecamel]

in one.i know ive seen the photos..

You lost me a bit then.

You seem to contradict yourself at every turn.

 

[alarm man]

Just the way I Like my women...

im glad we can agree on something..
:smartass2:

 

[alarm man]

You lost me a bit then.

You seem to contradict yourself at every turn.

listen man..theres been plenty of bluff about knocking on doors when a poor job has been seen,alot of report it,shocking etc ban them,but when a crap job turns out to be fitted by a respected pro then suddenly it all fingers on lips..could also be known in some circles as full of wind and ****

 

[Somecamel]

Or maybe saving the offending member of this forum a bit of face and allowing them time to remedy it?

We don't know the circumstances as to why (if there are any) this install has been 'left' like this.

The Industry has been put under a stupid amount of pressure in the last 6 months, I'm now Grey because of it

As Earth Store said, the company that done this is an active and respected member on this forum, so a little respect is in order.

 

[alarm man]

Or maybe saving the offending member of this forum a bit of face and allowing them time to remedy it?

We don't know the circumstances as to why (if there are any) this install has been 'left' like this.

The Industry has been put under a stupid amount of pressure in the last 6 months, I'm now Grey because of it

As Earth Store said, the company that done this is an active and respected member on this forum, so a little respect is in order.

my thoughts exactly,but if that had been some random picture of a job done by a chancer(of which there is many in every industry) they may have not been afforded the chance of a reply to why the install was a temp fix..and adding to that i respect your post

 

[babba]

Well that being the case I think earthstore has put his name to this thread and was very brave to do so and I admire him for this.
I was unaware of the backround until now...

 

[alarm man]

i agree,the only one to stand up and be counted

 

[solarsavings]

This company post on this forum and are very well respected by all of us, they are one of the top people on here,(no its not TED) and especially with their background they know they should not have left it like this, even if it is a temporary measure.

That's me in the clear then but seriously, it's a bit off saying they post on here and then not naming them.

 

[Eco Deal]

Could we play a real game of guess who????

First question ? do they wear glasses ?

If not they really need some

 

[GaryM]

I'd have respect for said company if they posted their reasoning behind the installation being left like that.
It's hide behind the stone or 'man up' time!

 

[moggy1968]

I think there needs to be great care conducting witch hunts either on here or with professional bodies. Many companies have very similar names, we have been mistaken for another local company many times (had some free advertising out of it once!) and I for one would be very miffed and talking to my solicitor if someone 'named and shamed' me on here for an install that wasn't mine.
There is also tendency to criticise installs when we don't know the full details of them and jump to assumptions re factors such as shading or panel distribution when we don't know the full story.
There are also, as we have seen on here many times, differences in opinion in interpretations of the regs and I doubt there aren't any of us out there who haven't either deliberately or accidently breached a reg ot two.
I know of another installer on here who is very willing to dob people in, who's own installs don't accord with my own interpretation of the regs, but I wouldn't be so arrogant as to report him for it.
I have only once reported another electrician, for truly appalling breaches of the regs and a dangerous installation in a kitchen, but unless the case is very clear cut (as it would appear here) I think it is often better to just do your own thing to the best of your abilities and let the rest ride past.

'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone'

 

[SolarCity]

I'm stunned to hear that it is an install from someone who posts a lot on this forum. Lets hope they put it right.

 

[Gavin A]

It's got to be worth sending a PM to the person suspected of being the installer here to double check it actually is their work, and make sure they're aware of the thread / state of the job.

Could be it's not them, could be that it is them but they've not seen the thread, or not realised it had anything to do with them if it wasn't actually them directly involved in this particular install (ie if it was their installation team, but not them personally).

Could also be that there's a reason it's been left like this temporarily, though I'd be interest to see the justification.